Graduate Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Programs | Grad Schools

Graduate Criminal Justice and Legal Studies programs offer a myriad of options for students exploring advanced degrees in fascinating areas that span criminalistics, criminology, forensic science, law enforcement, legal and paralegal studies and more! Whether you are oriented to researching the law, analyzing policy, investigating crime, understanding criminal behavior or protecting national security, there are a variety of Criminal Justice Graduate schools to choose from for your education. Studying on campus has some unique features that might suit the type of degree you are interested in, so read on to explore!

Graduate Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Program: Essentials

Graduate Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Graduate Program has appeal whether you are looking for extra credentials and expertise to prepare you for specific career, advancement in a current field, or to address building a more comprehensive knowledge base. Many graduate certificate programs are geared as post-baccalaureate programs, so if you are coming straight from an undergraduate degree, you might choose that route or a Masters in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Program. Doctorate degrees are also available, and in an array of tracks- often you can find PhD, PsyD and Doctor of Management programs. Knowing what type of degree you are seeking might help you find an appropriate Criminal Justice School, as they may be known for different specializations.

Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Programs: Find a Graduate School

GradSchools.com makes it easy to find Criminal Justice Schools to fit your needs. If you start by choosing your subject, then your degree level, you can then look into campus-based programs by location. There are settings for city, state and country that will each yield results to select from. Then you can visit the college or university’s site, request info and basically start refining your search process.

What are the potential advantages to studying on campus?

Access to facilities: In fact many graduate programs in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies actually involve some on-site work. In programs such as Forensic Science or Cybersecurity for instance, you might have to do some laboratory work, and being on campus means access to these facilities.

Learning in real-time: In programs where the focus is on law enforcement, management, or defense, there may be some programs that require the hands-on learning component that involves building interpersonal or leadership skills, so again, being at graduate school rather than on your computer may be beneficial.

Access: In terms of commuting, while you do have to ‘get to class’, many Criminal Justice colleges are factoring in the needs of their working professional students, with classes that may be scheduled evenings or weekends.

Interactions: Many students benefit from the social learning atmosphere and being able to meet their faculty and network with other students.

Choice: It may be harder to find online law degree programs that are accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Also, as stated above, some graduate programs involve fieldwork, internship, or other involved practical experience beyond the classroom, so your choices in certain fields may be greater for campus-based learning than online. (You can gage this in your own search).

Accreditation: Accreditation for Criminal Justice Colleges is important. Also, some programs may be run from Business Schools, so accreditation is equally vital. Many graduate programs will actually not admit students from unaccredited schools. There are two basic types of accreditation: institutional and special, or program accreditation.

Institutional accreditation is the most common- it means that the college or university is accredited as a whole (credibility!). There is national and regional accreditation.

The other type of accreditation is program accreditation (endorsed by the United States Department of Education.)

What Type of Graduate Criminal Justice and Legal Studies is right for you?

GradSchools.com has a great directory to help you find the program that aligns with your interests. Are you interested in law enforcement? Some programs might offer preparation to work as border patrol agent, crime scene investigator, FBI agent, federal air marshal, forensic engineer, fraud investigator, police officer, private detective, or surveillance officer.

Interested in Legal Studies and research? Law degree programs might prepare you to work as bailiffs, court reporters, judges, magistrates, lawyers, district attorneys, medical examiners, legal assistants, and paralegals.

Are you more interested in enforcing punishments against offenders? Try a program that might lead to working as corrections officers, correctional treatment specialists, probation officers, prison wardens, and substance abuse counselors in prisons.

Here is a mini-guide:

Criminal Justice and Criminalistics:

Corrections

Criminal Justice

Criminal Psychology

Criminology

Forensic Science

Homeland Security

National Defense

Law Enforcement, Policing and Investigation

Security Management

Legal Studies

Environmental Law

Health Care law

Intellectual Property Law

International Law

JD/Law Programs

LLM’s –Masters of Law

Taxation-Law

Paralegal

Types of Graduate Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Degrees

It is a good idea to verify what credentials are required for the specific career you have in mind. Sometimes an undergraduate degree is sufficient for entry-level positions, while other times a masters or PhD is preferred. Graduate Criminal Justice and Legal Studies degrees are available in:

Masters programs, such as Master of Public Administration: Criminal Justice Concentration, Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Management-Homeland Security and many other choices. While undergraduate degrees are generalized, most masters programs entail research and are more specialized.

Doctorate Programs, such as Doctorate of Management-Homeland Security, Juris Doctor (J.D.), Criminology PhD, and J.D./PhD program amongst others. These establish one’s expertise in their field.

Graduate Certificates, such as National Security Affairs Grad Certificate, Paralegal Studies program Certificate, or LL.M. in environmental and national Resources Law are designed as either post-masters or post-bachelor’s programs.

Ready for the next step?

Whether you are seeking a Graduate Criminal Justice and Legal Studies program near you or prefer to relocate, studying on a college campus may be an unparalleled experience to learn and grow amongst others with the same or similar goals. Why not take the next step and let GradSchools.com help you find the graduate school that aligns with your goals?

Loyola University Chicago

Designed for practicing lawyers seeking a broader understanding of human concerns in legal interventions, the MSW/JD Duel Degree program explores the social and psychological dynamics that impact at-risk populations. Several specializations are available.

Strengthen your practice in child welfare with the MSW/MJ in Child and Family Law Dual Degree program. This program is designed for professionals who do not wish to practice law but seek a deeper understanding of legal issues affecting those they serve.

As the worlds of business and law merge, it's increasingly crucial to have a firm understanding of both. Position yourself for success at the intersection of these dynamic markets with the Joint JD MBA program. Students earn both JD and MBA Law degrees.

Stockton University

The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Program at Stockton University provides a quality graduate program that promotes advanced inquiry and application of new knowledge and fosters advanced-level career opportunities. ...

Nova Southeastern University

The 36-credit M.S. in National Security Affairs and International Relations is designed to provide students with theoretical, research, and applied skills in the emerging academic field of national security affairs...

National security affairs is one of the fastest growing professions with positions open in the public sector in the federal, state and local governments and in the private sector. This program is designed for professionals in the...

University of Edinburgh

This innovative research masters degree offers a unique chance to bridge the gap between undergraduate study and doctoral work, by pursuing advanced study in a specialist field of choice, whilst developing research methods skills by undertaking a supervi...

This masters programme aims to help you understand the key concepts and theories underpinning criminal law and criminal justice and how they operate in practice, preparing you for a professional or academic career in these fields.

This masters programme addresses the global demand for specialist legal knowledge in Environmental Law, providing an inter-disciplinary curriculum and serving as a gateway to employment and research opportunities in environmental law, protection and regu...

This Masters by Research programme allows students to undertake independent research into their chosen field of law, under expert supervision through completion of a 30,00 word dissertation. It is an ideal step for those seeking to pursue a PhD.

This degree offers an advanced insight into the practical and theoretical concepts underpinning the legal and regulatory infrastructure of global finance. An essential asset for anyone aspiring to a successful career within International financial and re...

The programme is designed to provide you with a theoretical and practical understanding of international human rights law in its broader political context, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between human rights and conflict resolution.

This unique opportunity provides the option to study a full generalist or specialist legal masters programme at a world-leading institution, while at the same time gaining a solid grounding in Modern Standard Chinese language (Mandarin).

This LLM offers a qualification that combines considerable academic interest with professional utility, providing a comparative insight into both the modern development of the key areas of private law, and also the dynamics of European harmonisation init...

This is a conversion programme for those who already possess an undergraduate qualification in a subject other than law, or who posses a law degree from a non-Scottish University, and wish to enter into training for the Scottish Legal Profession.

Whether you want to pursue a career in criminal justice or criminology, or are already working these fields and looking to develop, on this master’s programme you will engage with the latest research in these fields, supported by leading experts.

EU law is a complex and fascinating subject with an ever-increasing impact upon global policymaking. Our academics are at the forefront of EU Law research making this programme a significant asset to anyone seeking a rewarding career in law, business, po...

This masters programme examines in detail a diverse cross-section of topics such as genetics, assisted reproduction, transplantation, mental health, assisted suicide, and more, that reflect the legal and ethical challenges faced by those working in and a...

This specialist and popular masters programme aims to provide an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the institutions, rules and principles of the international economic system, as well as of key legal and policy issues arising from the glob...

Fairleigh Dickinson University

The Master of Science in Cyber and Homeland Security (MSCHSA) program is administered by the School of Administrative Science (SAS) from the Metropolitan Campus and is conducted off-campus (week nights and Saturdays) and online.

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